Tape dispenser



Sept. 8, 1964 L. J. RATTEV ETAL I 3,147,897

TAPE DISPENSER Filed May 2, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS L N J. RATT LIAM R. CL BY 50% wfimm ATTORNEYS Sept. 8, 1964 L. J. RATTE ETAL 3,147,897

, TAPEDISPENSER Filed May 2, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 INVENTORS 5| LEON J. RATTE BY WILLIAM R. CLARK 5 W gala 664 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,147,897 TAPE DISPENSER Leon J. Ratte, White Bear Lake, and William R. Clark,

Hutchinson, Minna, assiors to Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn, a corporation of Delaware Filed May 2, 1961, Ser. No. 107,260 5 Claims. (Cl. 225-24) The present invention relates to apparatus for dispensing adhesive tape. More particularly, the invention relates to .a tape dispenser which provides novel means for severing a length from a supply of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape and for positioning tape which has been unrolled from a supply roll of said tape. The supply roll of tape can be protectively enclosed within a relatively small hand dispenser comprising this invention, such as the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

The severing means of the present invention is particularly useful in connection with tapes made on a stretchable backing, which tapes have been found to be difficult to sever with the means normally employed in tape dispensers. While dispensers for such tapes have been previously devised, those dispensers accomplish severance of the tape by providing a surface to which the tape is adhered and a movable member which first perforates the tape and then cuts from the perforation while the tape is adhered to the surface. While such dispensers are effective in severing stretchable tape, they have a disadvantage in that the free end of tape from the roll is adhered to the surface and the tape must be grasped by the user and removed from the surface before another length of tape can be pulled from the roll. The severing means of the instant invention, however, eliminates the need for adhering the free end of the tape to such a surface, and in cooperation with the positioning means of the present invention, provides for easy access to the free end when it is to be grasped by the user in order to pull another length of tape from the roll. The vparticular positioning means shown in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and described herein positions the free severed end from the roll of tape so that it will be easily accessible to the user.

The severing means of the present invention comprises two blades, at least one of which blades is attached to a rotatable member and extends parallel to the axis about which that rotatable member rotates. In the illustrated embodiment the blades are each attached to a rotatable member and both blades extend parallel to the axis of the attachment of those members, for contact with each other when the members are rotated simultaneously in opposite directions to move the blades toward each other. Each of the two blades has an edge for contact with the other when the movable members are rotated to move the blades toward each other, and the tape which extends be tween those edges is severed by the edges as they contact each other. The edges of the blades are preferably formed to extend at an angle to each other, so that the edges will contact each other at a pre-determined and constant acute angle and along only a relatively small area. The movement of the blades of the present invention is different from shears or scissors in that the acute angle between the blades does not decrease during the shearing movement, but remains at the same ipre-determined angle throughout the entire severing action. The blades are each attached in such manner that the edges of the blades are urged against each other while they are in contact with each other, to shear the tape, so it is not necessary that the edges be sharpened in order to effect severance of the tape. This fact provides an advantage in that there is no danger of injury to the operator from contact with the blades.

The dispenser shown in the drawings and described herein was designed for use in connection with surgical tape, and is made in two sections which fit together to define an enclosure within which the tape can be maintained in a sanitary condition. Each of these two members is similarly shaped and has a flange extending from its periphery toward the other for complemental distances to provide the enclosure. The members are pivotably attached to each other for simultaneous partial rotational movement on the pivot in opposite directions alternately, so that an opening will be formed between the flanges on each member when the members are rotated in one of the opposite directions and that opening will be closed when the members are rotated in the alternate opposite direction. The opposing blades are attached at approximately the same distance from the pivot to the flanges on each member, and the blades are located on each side of the opening formed in the enclosure and extend parallel to the axis of the pivot. Means is provided for mounting a roll of tape on the pivot, and a handle is attached to the external surface of the flange on each member, so that by moving the handles the enclosure can be opened to permit withdrawal of tape radially from the roll and the opening can then be closed and the tape which extends from the roll through the opening will be severed by the blades as they contact each other during the closing of the opening.

The positioning means of the present invention is attached to the movable members intermediate the pivot and the blades, and serves to engage the tape which extends from the supply roll between the blades in order to posi tion the tape. In the illustrated embodiment the positioning means comprises a stripper, a retainer, a platform and a pusher. The stripper is attached to one of the blades for movement with the blade against the tape after the tape has been severed by the edges of the blades, to disadhere the severed end of tape from the tape roll from the blades. The retainer is attached to the other blade for movement with it toward the stripper, to engage the adhesive surface of the severed end of tape and prevent that end from falling toward the tape roll. The platform is attached to one of the movable members and the pusher is attached to the other movable member, and the platform and pusher extend toward each other and parallel to the axis of the pivot. The platform and pusher are similarly shaped and are positioned at approximately the same distance from the pivot, so that they will contact each other when the movable members are rotated to move the blades away from each other and will lie away from each other when the movable members are rotated to move the blades toward each other. The platform serves to engage the adhesive surface of the extending tape as the movable members are rotated to move the blades toward each other. The platform then moves the tape from between the blades toward the platform, pulling tape which had been pulled out of the dispenser back into the dispenser, thereby increasing the length of extending tape which is located between the platform and the edges of the blades as the edges contact each other to sever a length of tape from the roll. The pusher serves to engage the adhesive side of the extending tape which is located intermediate the platform and the blades when the movable members are then rotated to move the blades away from each other, to move the extending tape to a position whereby the severed end from the roll of tape will extend outwardly from the dispenser and about mid-way between the blades.

A more complete understanding of the entire invention may be had from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the dispenser in open position, showing the free end from a roll of tape protruding from the opening;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective View similar to FIGURE 1, showing the open'dispenser from the opposite side;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the interior surface of one of the movable members;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the interior surface of the other movable member;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of the dispenser after the members have been assembled together, with one of the flat sides removed, and with a roll of tape positioned therein to begin the operation of the dispenser;

FIGURE 6 is a view taken along line 66 in FIGURE 5, showing the blades, with the edges of the blades shown in dotted lines;

FIGURES 7 through 12 are schematic side views of the interior of the dispenser, showing the relative positions of the interior parts during the operation of the dispenser.

The dispenser illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 is formed by assembling the two separate movable members and 21 which are shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. The major portion of the members 20 and 21 can be conveniently formed or molded in one piece from plastic, or the like, but the blades 5%) and 51 are preferably made from metal and are attached to the peripheral flanges 32 and 33 of each of the members, in position to oppose each other when the movable members are assembled.

In FIGURE 3, the number 20 indicates generally the entire member shown therein and the number 22 indicates the flat side of that member. The interior surface of flat side member 22 is shown in FIGURE 3, and the exterior surface of said side member is shown in FIGURE 2. An annular aperture 24 is formed through flat side member 22, and a cylindrical hub element 26 is formed to extend at right angles from the peripheral edge of aperture 24 on the interior surface of said side member. The end of cylindrical hub 26 which is remote from side member 22 is preferably formed to have a diameter which is slightly larger than the attached end of said hub, and V-shaped notches are preferably formed to extend from the remote end of said hub element toward side member 22. Two studs 23 are formed to extend outwardly on opposite sides between the notches and on the convex surface near the terminal end of hub 26, and said studs serve to hold the movable members together, as is shown in FIGURE 1 and as will be described hereinafter.

An annular ring 30 is formed on the interior surface of flat side member 20, and said ring is spaced slightly from, and extends around, the cylindrical hub 26. Annular ring 30 acts to stabilize the rotational movement of the two movable members shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 when they are in the assembled relationship showing FIGURES 1 and 2, and also serves to prevent the roll of tape from contact with the interior surface of flat side member 20.

A flange member 32 is formed to extend along almost the entire outer periphery on the interior surface of flat side member 22, and is aflixed to extend at right angles from said flat side member. The only area in which said flange member is not present is the area through which the tape is to be dispensed, which area is indicated by the number 34. A triangular shaped pusher member 36 is aflixed to the interior of flat side member 22 in the area 34, and said pusher extends inwardly from the interior surface of said flat side member and parallel to hub 26, as is shown in FIGURE 3.

The flange member 32 extends inwardly from the interior surface of flat side member 22 for a varying distance in each of three separate areas. The area of the greatest degree of such extension of flange member 32 is indicated by the reference character 38, and the width of flange area 38, together with the thickness of both of the flat side members of the movable members 20 and 21 will determine the width or thickness of the entire dispenser. The area 40 of flange member 32 extends for a lesser distance inwardly from flat side member 22 than does area 33, and the area indicated by the reference character 42 extends for a lesser distance inwardly from flat side member 22 than does area 40. The distance which areas 40 and 42 extend from flat side member 22 are such that the combined width of those two areas will be approximately equal to the total width of area 38.

A lug 44 is formed on the inner or concave surface of area 38 and projects inwardly therefrom for a short distance, and said lug extends parallel to cylindrical hub element 26. A handle member 46 is aflixed to the external surface of area 40, and said handle is formed in the shape of an annular ring which extends outwardly from flat side member 22. Handle 46 is used to move the entire movable member 20, as will be described hereinafter.

A blade 50 and a stripper member 52 are preferably formed from metal and are attached to area 38 of flange 32 by rivets 54 and 56, which rivets extend through corresponding holes formed in said blade, stripper and flange. As is shown in FIGURE 3, the attached end of both blade 50 and stripper 52 is formed and attached so that it bears against lug 44. The unattached end of blade 50 forms the cutting edge 58 of said blade and said edge is curved inwardly, toward cylindrical hub 26 and said edge is formed at an acute angle to the attached end of said blade. The unattached end 60 of stripper 52 is also formed to extend inwardly from flange 32, toward cylindrical hub 26, but said end of stripper 52 is formed to protrude farther inwardly, toward hub 26, than edge 58 of blade 50, and end 60 is formed to extend parallel to the attached end of said stripper. Although edge 58 of blade St is the cutting edge of said blade, it need not be sharpened, and the reason for the angular arrangement of said edge will be described hereinafter.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, the number 21 indicates generally the entire member shown therein, and the number 23 indicates the flat side of that member. The interior surface of flat side member 23 is shown in FIGURE 4 and the exterior surface of said side member is shown in FIGURE 1. An annular aperture 25 is formed through flat side member 23, and a cylindrical hub element 27 is formed to extend at right angles from the peripheral edge of aperture 25 on the interior surface of said side member. Cylindrical hub element 27 is formed to be slightly smaller than the outer periphery of annular aperture 25, so that a circular ridge 29 is formed between cylindrical hub element 27 and annular aperture 25, and studs 28 on cylindrical hub element 26 of movable member 20 will engage with circular ridge 29 when movable members 29 and 21 are fitted together to form the dispenser, as is shown in FIGURE 1. An annular ring 31 extends around cylindrical hub 27 at the point at which said cylindrical hub element is attached to flat side member 23, and said ring serves to prevent the tape roll which is mounted on cylindrical hub 27 from engagement with the interior surface of flat side member 23.

A flange member 33 is formed to extend along almost the entire outer periphery on the interior surface of flat side member 23, and is affixed to extend at right angles from said flat side member. The only area on the periphery of flat side member 23 Where flange 33 is not prescut is the area through which tape is to be dispensed, which area is indicated by the number 35. A triangular or V-shaped platform 37 is aflixed to the interior surface of flat side member 21 in the area 35, and said platform extends inwardly from the interior surface of flat side member 23 and parallel to cylindrical hub 27, as is shown in FIGURE 4.

The flange member 33 extends inwardly from the interior surface of flat side member 23 for a varying distance in each of three separate areas. The area of greatest extension of flange member 33 is indicated by the reference character 39, and the width of the flange in area 39 is the same as the width of area 38 of flange member 32 on member 20. However, the length of area 39 is somewhat shorter than that of area 38, and area 39 is formed to contain a double right angle bend which is not present in area 33, in order that area 39 can pass under area 38 when the assembled dispenser is closed, as is shown in FIGURE 5. In other respects, flange 33 on member 31 is similar to flange 32 on member 20 in that flange member 33 is comprised of areas of lesser extension which are indicated by the character references 41 and 43, which areas correspond to areas 40 and 42, respectively, of flange member 32, and lug 45 corresponds to lug 44. Also, a handle 47 is aflixed to the exterior surface of area 41 of flange 33, and, like handle 46 of member 20, handle 47 serves to move the entire movable member 21.

A blade 51 and a retainer 53 are preferably formed of metal, and are attached to area 3? of flange member 33 by rivets 55 and 57, which rivets extend through corresponding holes formed in said blade, retainer and flange. As is shown in FIGURE 4, the attached end of both blade 51 and retainer 53 is formed and attached so that it bears against lug 45. The unattached end of blade 51 is bent and extends outwardly from cylindrical hub 27, and said end terminates to form a cutting edge 59. The unattached end 61 of retainer 53 is not bent, but extends from flange 33 into area 35 for about the same distance as blade 51. The edge 59 of blade 51 extends parallel to the attached end of said blade, and said edge need not be sharpened.

In preparing this dispenser for operation, a roll of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape 62 which is wound on a core 64 is placed on cylindrical hub element 27 of movable member 21 in such manner that the adhesive surface of the unrolled tape T from roll 62 will adhere to platform 37, as is shown in FIGURE 5. The dispenser is then put together by inserting cylindrical hub 26 of movable member 20 into cylindrical hub 27 of movable member 21, and movable members 20 and 21 are pushed together into assembled relationship. The movable members are thus pivotably attached to each other through the engagement of hub 26 in hub 27, and studs 28 engage over circular ridge 23 to hold the movable members together, as shown in FIGURE 1. Tape roll 62 is enclosed within the movable members 20 and 21, and the unrolled tape T extends into the tape dispensing area 34 of member 20 and tape dispensing area 35 of member 21.

The assembled relationship and the movement of cutting edges 58 and 59 relative to each other will be understood by referring to FIGURES 5 and 6. The movement of edges 58 and 59 toward and into contact with each other will result in initial contact between the part of edge 58 which is most remote from flat side member 22 and that part of edge 59 which is closest to flat side member 23, and that during the continuation of that movement the point of contact between the edges will move from fiat side member 23 toward flat side member 22. This point of contact between the edges of the blades is caused by the annular arrangement of edge 58 relative to edge 59, and this predetermined acute angle will not change during contact by the edges, but will remain constant, as the tape is severed a little at a time and across its entire width,from one side to the other.

The operation of the dispenser is shown in FIGURES 7 through 12. In order to pull tape T from roll 62, the operator places a finger through handle 46 and the thumb of the same hand through handle 47, and by moving those handles apart from each other the movable members will be moved to the open position shown in FIGURES l and 2. Since the end of the tape T is then in the position shown in FIGURE 5, the operator, with his other hand, must reach into the opening created between the flanges 32 and 33 and grasp the end of tape T between the thumb and a finger. Then, by moving the hands apart from each other, the operator can pull on tape T and unroll it from roll 62. During this movement by the operator, tape T will first be disadhered from platform 37 and then unwound from roll 62 as it passes between said platform and blade 50 and out of the open dispenser, as is shown in FIGURE 7. Tape core 64 freely revolves on cylindrical hub element 27 as tape T is thus pulled from roll 62. When the desired length of tape T has been pulled from roll 62, the length is severed from said roll by moving the thumb and finger holding handles 46 and 47 toward each other, to close the dispenser.

Referring now to FIGURE 8, the movement of handles 46 and 47 toward each other causes members 23 and 21 to rotate in opposite directions on the pivotal engagement of cylindrical hub elements 26 and 2'7, moving blades 50 and 51 toward each other. During this movement of members 23 and 21, pusher 36 and platform 37 are moved away from each other, and platform 37 is moved against the adhesive surface of the tape T which is inside the dispenser, between blade 59 and tape roll 62, so that said tape is adhered to said platform. After the tape T which is inside the dispenser has been adhered to platform 37, the length of tape T between platform 37 and blade 59 is increased, due to the fact that said platform and said blade are being rotated in opposite directions, so that a small amount of tape T which was outside of the dispenser will be pulled back into the dispenser as it is closed. The tape T which is thus pulled back into the dispenser will slide along the part of area 38 of flange 32 which is in front of blade 50, since the non-adhesive side of the tape contacts said flange. This movement of tape T back into the dispenser will continue during the movement of blades 50 and 51 toward each other until the opposing edges 58 and 59 of said blades contact each other, to sever tape T across the width of said tape. Although edges 58 and 59 contact each other at an angle to each other the tape T is severed approximately straight across the width. The desired severed length of tape is then removed for use by the operator of the dispenser.

Referring now to FIGURES 8 and 9, it will be seen that the edges 58 and 59 of blades 50 and 51 are formed and set so as to actually collide with each other, with the tape T between them, and severance of the tape is accomplished by the movement of edge 58 up and over edge 59, and movement of edge 59 under edge 58. The for-med bend in edges 58 and 53 aids the movement of said edges past each other. Also, the resiliency of the plastic material of which the movable members are preferably made permits radial movement of edges 58 and 59 :as they contact each other, and, at the same time, serves to urge said edges together as they are so moved. The metal construction of the blades 54 and 51 and the bend in edges 58 and 59 also serves this same purpose, so that it is not necessary that the movable members be constructed from resilient plastic material. The reason that it is not necessary for the edges 58 and 53 to be sharpened is that it is the pressure between the point of contact between said edges which provides the cutting force, through a shearing action.

Referring now to FIGURES 9 and 10, it will be seen that the severed end of tape T from roll 62 adheres to edge 59 of blade 51 after said tape has been severed but that the continuation of the closing movement of the members 20 and 21 causes the non-adhesive side of said tape to be engaged by the end 60 of stripper 52. This engagement of the severed end of the tape by end 60 of stripper 52 causes said tape to be disadhered from said edge and moved toward end 61 of retainer 53 as edge 59 is moved against end 60 of stripper 52 to stop the rotational movement of the members 23 and 21. The severed end of tape T from roll s2 adheres to the surface of end 61 of retainer 53 which faces toward edge 59 and is thus prevented by said retainer from movement toward tape roll 62, so that the end of the tape will not drop down to stick to said tape roll.

When the user of the dispenser desires to sever another length of tape from the tape roll 62, handles 46 and 47 are again moved apart from each other, to move blades 50 and 51 away from each other, and this movement causes pusher 36 and platform 37 to move toward each other, as is shown in FIGURE 11. Since retainer 53 and platform 37 are both attached to the movable member 21, the severed end of tape T from roll 62 will remain on said retainer until pusher 36 is moved against the adhesive surface of tape T as the dispenser is opened. This movement of pusher 36 causes a corner of said pusher to engage the adhesive surface of tape T, as is shown in FIGURE 11. The continued movement of movable members 20 and 21 toward the open position of the dispenser causes pusher 37 to move the free end of tape T into the position shown in FIGURE 12 as said pusher contacts platform 37. The movement of pusher 36 into contact with platform 37 also serves to stop the rotational movement of the movable members 20 and 21, and the dispenser is then fully open. The additional amount of tape T which was pulled back into the dispenser by platform 37 when the dispenser was closed, and before the tape was severed, is now added to the length of the tape which would otherwise extend beyond platform 37, so that the free end of the tape protrudes from the opening in the dispenser, and about mid-way between the blades, so it is not necessary for the user to reach inside the dispenser to grasp the free end of the tape. The dispenser is then in the position shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, ready for another length of tape to be pulled from the tape roll 62 and severed from the roll when the dispenser is closed.

The opening formed between the flanges of the movable members is normally open only when the operator desires to pull a length of tape from the roll, and the dispenser is normally kept closed at other times in order to protect the enclosed tape from dust and dirt. This is desirable in connection with tapes used for almost any purpose, but is particularly desirable in connection with tapes used for surgical purposes. Although this dispenser will be found to be useful in connection with almost any type of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, it is particularly advantageous in connection with stretchable plastic tapes, since those tapes develop static electricity as they are pulled from the roll, and the unwound tape from the roll should be controlled to provide proper positioning of that tape. After stretchable tape has been pulled from the roll it should be allowed .to contract before the opening is closed to sever the tape, and the stripper 52 and retainer 53 will then act to properly position the severed end from the roll when the dispenser is closed. The platform 37 acts to position the unrolled tape when the dispenser is opened and closed, and the pusher 36 acts to position the unrolled tape when the dispenser is open. Thus the unrolled tape is controlled and positioned as it extends from the roll toward the blades of the dispenser.

Variations in the operation of the above described embodiment of our invention undoubtedly suggest themselves, and various modifications of our dispenser, embodying some or all of the novel features herein disclosed can be envisioned. For example, it is not necessary that the edges of the blades be formed to contact each other at an angle to each other and along only a relatively small area at any one time, since they can be sharpened in order to cut the tape if they are set square to each other. Also, it is not necessary for both of the members to be movable, since the dispenser will operate in the same manner if one of the members is held still, or affixed to any other tape dispensing apparatus. The particular dispenser shown and described does, however, have the advantage of being so small in size as to be easily carried about in the operators pocket. All variations are comprehended, and we do not intend to be limited only to the U specific embodiment herein disclosed, but, rather, we intend to be limited only by our disclosure taken as a whole, including the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for dispensing adhesive tape, said apparatus comprising two movable members pivotably attached to each other for simultaneous partial rotational movement in opposite directions alternately on said pivot, means for mounting a roll of tape on said pivot, an opposing blade attached at approximately the same distance from said pivot to each of said members and extending parallel to the axis of said pivot, said blades being moved toward each other when said movable members are rotated in one of the opposite directions and away from each other when said movable members are rotated in the alternate opposite directions, said blades each having an edge for contact with the other when said movable members are rotated to move said blades toward each other to sever tape which extends from said tape roll between said edges as said edges contact each other, and positioning means attached to said movable members intermediate said pivot and said blades for engagement with tape which extends from said roll toward said blades, to position said extending tape, said positioning means comprising a platform attached to one of said movable members and a pusher attached to the other of said movable members, said platform and said pusher extending toward each other and parallel to the axis of said pivot, said platform and pusher being positioned at approximately the same distance from said pivot for contact with each other when said movable members are rotated to move said blades away from each other, said platform and pusher being further positioned to lie away from each other when said movable members are rotated to move the blades toward each other, said platform serving to engage the adhesive surface of said extending tape as said movable members are rotated to move the blades toward each other, said platform then moving said tape from between said blades toward said platform, thereby increasing the length of extending tape which is located between said platform and the edges of said blades until said edge contact each other to sever a length from the end of said roll, said pusher serving to engage the adhesive side of said extending tape which is located intermediate said platform and said blades when the movable members are rotated to move the blades away from each other, to move said tape to a position whereby the severed end of tape from said roll will extend between said blades.

2. An apparatus for dispensing adhesive tape, said apparatus comprising two movable members pivotably attached to each other for simultaneous partial rotational movement in opposite directions alternately on said pivot, means for mounting a roll of tape on said pivot, an opposing blade attached at approximately the same distance from said pivot to each of said members and extending parallel to the axis of said pivot, said blades being moved toward each other when said movable members are rotated in one of the opposite directions and away from each other when said movable members are rotated in the alternate opposite directions, said blades each having an edge for contact with the other when said movable members are rotated to move said blades toward each other to sever tape which extends from said tape roll between said edges as said edges contact each other, and positioning means attached to said movable members intermediate said pivot and said blades for engagement with tape which extends from said roll toward said blades, to position said extending tape, said positioning means comprising a stripper attached to one of said blades for movement with said blade and against the tape after the tape has been severed by the edges of said blades, to disadhere the severed end of tape from said tape roll from said blades, a retainer attached to the other of said blades for movement with said blade toward said stripper, for engagement with the adhesive surface of said severed end of tape and prevent said end from movement toward said tape roll, a platform attached to one of said movable members and a pusher attached to the other of said movable members,

' said platform and said pusher extending toward each other and parallel to the axis of said pivot, said platform and pusher being positioned at approximately the same distance from said pivot for contact with each other when said movable members are rotated to move said blades away from each other, said platform and pusher being further positioned to lie away from each other when said movable members are rotated to move the blades toward each other, said platform serving to engage the adhesive surface of said extending tape as said movable members are rotated to move the blades toward each other, said platform then moving said tape from between said blades toward said platform, thereby increasing the length of extending tape which is located between said platform and the edges of said blades until said edges contact each other to sever a length from the end of said roll, said pusher serving to engage the adhesive side of said extending tape which is located intermediate said platform and said blades when the movable members are rotated to move the blades away from each other, to move said tape to a position whereby the severed end of tape from said roll will extend between said blades.

3. An apparatus for dispensing adhesive tape, said apparatus comprising two similarly shaped movable members pivotably attached to each other for simultaneous partial rotational movement in opposite directions alternately on said pivot, said members each having a flange afiixed to its periphery, said flanges extending toward the other member for complemental distances to provide an enclosure around said pivot, said enclosure being openable and closable through an opening formed between the flanges on each of said members as said movable members are rotated in one of the opposite directions on said pivot, said opening being closed when said members are rotated in the alternate opposite directions, a handle attached to the flange of each member for rotating said members to open and close said enclosure, means for mounting a roll of tape on said pivot for withdrawal of tape through said opening formed in said enclosure when said enclosure is open, an opposing blade attached at approximately the same distance from said pivot to the flange on each of said members and extending parallel to the axis of said pivot, said blades being located on each side of said opening formed in said enclosure and each of said blades having an edge for contact with the other when said movable members are rotated by moving said handles to move said blades toward each other to close said opening and sever tape which extends from said tape roll through said opening and between said edges as said edges contact each other, and positioning means attached to said movable members intermediate said pivot and said blades for engagement with tape which extends from said roll toward said blades, to position said extending tape, said positioning means comprising a platform attached to one of said movable members and a pusher attached to the other of said movable members, said platform and said pusher extending toward each other and parallel to the axis of said pivot, said platform and pusher being positioned at approximately the same distance from said pivot for contact with each other when said movable members are rotated to move said blades away from each other to open said opening, said platform and pusher being further positioned to lie away from each other when said movable members are rotated to move the blades toward each other to close said opening, said platform serving to engage the adhesive surface of said extending tape as said movable members are rotated to close said opening, said platform then moving said tape from said opening toward said platform, thereby increasing the length of extending tape which is located between said platform and said opening until said edges of said blades contact each other to sever a length from the end of said roll, said pusher serving to engage the adhesive side of said extending tape which is located intermediate said platform and said opening when the movable members are rotated to move the blades away from each other to open said opening, to move said tape to a position whereby the severed end of tape from said roll will extend from said enclosure through said opening and approximately mid-way between said blades.

4. An apparatus for dispensing adhesive tape, said apparatus comprising two similarly shaped movable members pivotably attached to each other for simultaneous partial rotational movement in opposite directions alternately on said pivot, said members each having a flange aflixed to its periphery, said flanges extending toward the other member for complemental distances to provide an enclosure around said pivot, said enclosure being openable and closable through an opening formed between the flange on each of said members as said movable members are rotated in one of the opposite directions on said pivot, said opening being closed when said members are rotated in the alternate opposite directions, a handle attached to the flange of each member for rotating said members to open and close said enclosure, means for mounting a roll of tape on said pivot for withdrawal of tape through said opening formed in said enclosure when said enclosure is open, an opposing blade attached at approximately the same distance from said pivot to the flange on each of said members and extending parallel to the axis of said pivot, said blades being located on each side of said opening formed in said enclosure and each of said blades having an edge for contact with the other when said movable members are rotated by moving said handles to move said blades toward each other to close said opening and sever tape which extends from said tape roll through said opening and between said edges as said edges contact each other, and positioning means attached to said movable members intermediate said pivot and said blades for engagement with tape which extends from said roll toward said blades, to position said extending tape, said positioning means comprising a stripper attached to one of said blades for movement with said blade and against the tape after the tape has been severed by the edges of said blades, to disadhere the severed end of tape from said tape roll from said blades, a retainer attached to the other of said blades for movement with said blade toward said stripper for engagement with the adhesive surface of said severed end of tape and prevent said end from movement toward said tape roll, a platform attached to one of said movable members and a pusher attached to the other of said movable members, said platform and said pusher extending toward each other and parallel to the axis of said pivot, said platform and pusher being positioned at approximately the same distance from said pivot for contact with each other when said movable members are rotated to move said blades away from each other to open said openings, said platform and pusher being further positioned to lie away from each other when said movable members are rotated to move the blades toward each other to close said opening, said platform serving to engage the adhesive surface of said extending tape as said movable members are rotated to close said opening, said plat form then moving said tape from said opening toward said platform, thereby increasing the length of extending tape which is located between said platform and said opening until said edges of said blades contact each other to sever a length from the end of said roll, said pusher serving to engage the adhesive side of said extending tape which is located intermediate said platform and said opening when the movable members are rotated to move the blades away from each other to open said opening, to move said tape to a position whereby the severed end of tape from said roll will extend l 1 from enclosure through said opening and approximately mid-way between said blades.

5. An apparatus for dispensing adhesive tape, said apparatus comprising two flat similarly shaped movable members pivotably attached parallel to each other for simultaneous partial rotational movement in opposite directions alternately on said pivot, said members each having a flange allixed to its periphery, said flanges extending at right angles toward the other member for complemental distances to provide an enclosure around said pivot, said enclosure being openable and closable through an opening formed between the flange on each of said members as said movable members are rotated in one of the opposite directions on said pivot, said opening being closed when said members are rotated in the alternate opposite directions, a handle attached to the flange of each member for rotating said members to open and close said enclosure, means for mounting a roll of tape on said pivot for withdrawal of tape through said opening formed in said enclosure when said enclosure is open, an opposing blade attached at approximately the same distance from said pivot to the flange on each of said members and extending parallel to the axis of said pivot, said blades being located on each side of said opening formed in said enclosure and each of said blades having an edge for contact with the other when said movable members are rotated by moving said handles to move said blades toward each other to close said opening and sever tape which extends from said tape roll through said opening and between said edges as said edges contact each other, said edges of said blades being formed to contact each other at a predetermined and constant acute angle and along only a relatively small area at any one time, and positioning means attached to said movable members intermediate said pivot and said blades for engagement with tape which extends from said roll toward said blades, to position said extending tape, said positioning means comprising a stripper attached to one of said blades for movement with said blade and against the tape after the tape has been severed by the edges of said blades, to disadhere the severed end of tape from said tape roll from said blades, a retainer attached to the other of said blades for movement with said blade toward said stripper for engagement with the adhesive surface of said severed end of tape and prevent said end from movement toward said tape roll, a platform attached to one of said movable members and a pusher attached to the other of said movable members, said platform and said pusher extending toward each other and parallel to the axis of said pivot, said platform and pusher being positioned at approximately the same distance from said pivot for contact with each other when said movable members are rotated to move said blades away from each other to open said opening, said platform and pusher being further positioned to lie away from each other when said movable members are rotated to move the blades toward each other to close said opening, said platform serving to engage the adhesive surface of said extending tape as said movable members are rotated to close said opening, said platform then moving said tape from said opening toward said platform, thereby increasing the length of extending tape which is located between said platform and said opening until said edges of said blades contact each other to sever a length from the end of said roll, said pusher serving to engage the adhesive side of said extending tape which is located intermediate said platform and said opening when the movable members are rotated to move the blades away from each other to open said opening, to move said tape to a position whereby the severed end of tape from said roll will extend from said enclosure through said opening and approximately mid-way between said blades.

Zuckerman Aug. 2, 1932 Jones June 7, 1955 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING ADHESIVE TAPE, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING TWO MOVABLE MEMBERS PIVOTABLY ATTACHED TO EACH OTHER FOR SIMULTANEOUS PARTIAL ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS ALTERNATELY ON SAID PIVOT, MEANS FOR MOUNTING A ROLL OF TAPE ON SAID PIVOT, AN OPPOSING BLADE ATTACHED AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME DISTANCE FROM SAID PIVOT TO EACH OF SAID MEMBERS AND EXTENDING PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF SAID PIVOT, SAID BLADES BEING MOVED TOWARD EACH OTHER WHEN SAID MOVABLE MEMBERS ARE ROTATED IN ONE OF THE OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER WHEN SAID MOVABLE MEMBERS ARE ROTATED IN THE ALTERNATE OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS, SAID BLADES EACH HAVING AN EDGE FOR CONTACT WITH THE OTHER WHEN SAID MOVABLE MEMBERS ARE ROTATED TO MOVE SAID BLADES TOWARD EACH OTHER TO SEVER TAPE WHICH EXTENDS FROM SAID TAPE ROLL BETWEEN SAID EDGES AS SAID EDGES CONTACT EACH OTHER, AND POSITIONING MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID MOVABLE MEMBERS INTERMEDIATE SAID PIVOT AND SAID BLADES FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH TAPE WHICH EXTENDS FROM SAID ROLL TOWARD SAID BLADES, TO POSITION SAID EXTENDING TAPE, SAID POSITIONING MEANS COMPRISING A PLATFORM ATTACHED TO ONE OF SAID MOVABLE MEMBERS AND A PUSHER ATTACHED TO THE OTHER OF SAID MOVABLE MEMBERS, SAID PLATFORM AND SAID PUSHER EXTENDING TOWARD EACH OTHER AND PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF SAID PIVOT, SAID PLATFORM AND PUSHER BEING POSITIONED AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME DISTANCE FROM SAID PIVOT FOR CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER WHEN SAID MOVABLE MEMBERS ARE ROTATED TO MOVE SAID BLADES AWAY FROM EACH OTHER, SAID PLATFORM AND PUSHER BEING FURTHER POSITIONED TO LIE AWAY FROM EACH OTHER WHEN SAID MOVABLE MEMBERS ARE ROTATED TO MOVE THE BLADES TOWARD EACH OTHER, SAID PLATFORM SERVING TO ENGAGE THE ADHESIVE SURFACE OF SAID EXTENDING TAPE AS SAID MOVABLE MEMBERS ARE ROTATED TO MOVE THE BLADES TOWARD EACH OTHER, SAID PLATFORM THEN MOVING SAID TAPE FROM BETWEEN SAID BLADES TOWARD SAID PLATFORM, THEREBY INCREASING THE LENGTH OF EXTENDING TAPE WHICH IS LOCATED BETWEEN SAID PLATFORM AND THE EDGES OF SAID BLADES UNTIL SAID EDGE CONTACT EACH OTHER TO SEVER A LENGTH FROM THE END OF SAID ROLL, SAID PUSHER SERVING TO ENGAGE THE ADHESIVE SIDE OF SAID EXTENDING TAPE WHICH IS LOCATED INTERMEDIATE SAID PLATFORM AND SAID BLADES WHEN THE MOVABLE MEMBERS ARE ROTATED TO MOVE THE BLADES AWAY FROM EACH OTHER, TO MOVE SAID TAPE TO A POSITION WHEREBY THE SEVERED END OF TAPE FROM SAID ROLL WILL EXTEND BETWEEN SAID BLADES. 